The 2010 RBS 6 Nations launch took place at London’s Hurlingham Club on Wednesday and captains and coaches alike are predicting one of the closest-fought championships in years.
Media from all six countries were in attendance as were RBS ambassadors Jason Leonard, Andy Nicol and Ieuan Evans who were throwing their weight behind the RBS RugbyForce initiative which aims to renovate rugby clubs across the UK.
Following a successful pilot scheme last year, England’s most capped player Leonard is keen to see the scheme rolled out across the country.
He said: “In so many regions across the UK, we know that rugby clubs are the heartlands of their communities.
“Having come through the club system myself to go on to play for England, I know first-hand how crucial club rugby is for international development.
“The big aim of RBS Rugby Force is to provide much-needed resources for club rugby, and get communities backing their local side.”
Grand Slam holders Ireland begin the defence of their crown with a home fixture against Italy and captain Brian O’Driscoll maintains that match is their only focus.
He said: “We need to start from scratch. It will be the same attitude we’ve had for the past 10 years. You try and build into a competition, you don’t win it in the first couple of weeks. That’s how you lose it.”
England and Wales, both recovering from a disappointing set of results in the autumn internationals, clash at Twickenham and Welsh boss Warren Gatland believes his side can get the edge in the scrum battle.
He said: “We will target certain areas, depending on who they (England) pick up front.
“I am happy with our experience in the front five. Games are won up front, and it is important that our tight five fronts up.”
Andy Robinson prepares for his first Six Nations as Scotland boss with a home match against bookmakers’ favourites France and the former England coach says his charges will be at the peak of physical fitness.
“Making that happen is down partly to a state of mind but you also need to be exceptionally fit and that is something we have been working on since the autumn,” said Robinson,
“Luckily we have two excellent conditioning teams at the Edinburgh and Glasgow sides and Scotland have been working very closely with them. It takes a big commitment from the players but they are all prepared to put the work in.”
Also attending were the six representatives of the women’s teams with their tournament getting under way on February 5 with Ireland playing Italy at Ashbourne RFC.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Ireland Women’s captain Fiona Coghlan says her team can afford no complacency against last year’s bottom side.
She said: “They gave us a big fright last season so we are not taking them lightly. The first game sets the tone for the tournament so it is crucial we get off to a good start.”
The following day reigning champions England take on Wales looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s shock defeat and Red Rose skipper Catherine Spencer maintains that defeat did her troops good in the long run.
Spencer said: “A lot of the girls in the dressing room had never experienced the pain of a defeat before. They know how much that hurts now so they never want to go through it again.”
